Connector and display apparatus having the same

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus including: a display panel; a chassis assembly supporting the display panel; a printed circuit board accommodated in the chassis assembly, and configured to drive and control the display panel; and a connector installed on the printed circuit board, and including a seating portion and a connector terminal positioned on one side of the seating portion, wherein the connector is connected to the cable by seating a surface of a body of a cable on the seating portion in a vertical direction while the surface of the body of the cable faces the seating portion and contact-coupling a cable terminal formed at one end of the body of the cable with the connector terminal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application, under 35 U.S.C. §111(a), of International Application No. PCT/KR2022/006280, filed on May2, 2022, which is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 toKorean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0106605, filed on Aug. 12, 2021 inthe Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

The disclosure relates to a connector and a display apparatus having thesame, and more particularly, to a connector having an improved cableconnection structure and a display apparatus including the connector.

2. Description of the Related Art

A display apparatus is an output apparatus that converts electricalinformation into visual information to display the visual informationfor users. Display apparatuses include, as well as a television and amonitor, a portable device, such as a notebook PC, a smart phone, atablet PC, etc.

A display apparatus includes a self-emissive display panel such as anOrganic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED), or a non-emissive display panelsuch as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).

A display apparatus to which a non-emissive display panel is applied mayinclude a backlight unit for supplying light to the display panel. Thebacklight unit includes an Edge-type in which light sources arepositioned to at least one side of the display panel, and a Direct-typein which light sources are positioned behind the display panel.

The display apparatus may include various printed circuit boards foroperating the display apparatus. The printed circuit boards may beconnected to each other to transmit and receive data, signals, or power.The printed circuit boards may be connected to each other by electricalwires, a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC), or a Flexible Printed Circuit Board(FPCB).

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a connectorhaving an improved cable connection method and a display apparatusincluding the connector.

A display apparatus according to a concept of the disclosure includes: adisplay panel; a chassis assembly to support the display panel; and aprinted circuit board assembly accommodated in the chassis assembly, andthe printed circuit board assembly including a printed circuit boardconfigured to drive and control the display panel; and a connectorinstallable on the printed circuit board and configured to electricallyconnect the display panel to the printed circuit board via a cable, andthe connector including a seating portion, and a connector terminalpositioned at one side of the seating portion, wherein the connector isconnected to the cable while a surface of the cable faces the seatingportion along a vertical direction of the connector and contact-couplinga cable terminal formed at one end of the cable with the connectorterminal.

The connector may include: a case including a recess forming the seatingportion, wherein an upper side of the recess opens so that the cable isseated on the seating portion along the vertical direction of theconnector; a cover rotatably couplable with the case to open or closethe seating portion; an elastic member providing a preset elastic forceto the cover to rotate the cover along a direction of closing theseating portion; a locking device, provided in at least one of the coveror the case, coupling the cover with the case in a state in which thecover opens the seating portion; and an unlocking device releasing thecoupling of the cover with the case by the locking device.

The unlocking device may include: a switch; and an interworking portionformed to extend from the switch, and the interworking portion pressingthe cover by moving upward upon a downward-pressing of the switch.

The locking device may include: a first hole provided in the case; and afirst elastic protrusion provided in the cover and couplable with thefirst hole.

The unlocking device may push the first elastic protrusion out of thefirst hole in a state in which the first elastic protrusion is coupledwith the first hole.

The locking device may be a first locking device, the connector mayfurther comprises a second locking device, provided in at least one ofthe cover or the case, to couple the cover with the case in a state inwhich the cover closes the seating portion, and the second lockingdevice may include: a second hole provided in the case; and a secondelastic protrusion provided in the cover and coupled with the secondhole.

The cover may include a separating prevention portion formed to protrudetoward the seating portion and couplable with the cable, to prevent thecable from departing from the seating portion, in a state in which thecable is seated on the seating portion and the cover closes the seatingportion, and the cable may include a cutting groove corresponding to theseparating prevention portion.

The one side of the seating portion, on which the connector terminal ispositioned, may be a first side, the case may further include aprojection formed to protrude inward along a width direction of theconnector such that a second side of the seating portion, which isopposite to the first side of the seating portion, has a smaller widththan the first side, and a catching portion caught by the projection toprevent the cable seated on the seating portion from departing from theseating portion along a horizontal direction of the connector.

The unlocking device may further include an auxiliary guide memberguiding a movement of the interworking portion so that the interworkingportion is movable along an up-down direction by interworking with theswitch.

The elastic member may include at least one torsion spring.

The cable may include at least one of a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC) or aFlexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB).

The connector may further include a handle that is gripped.

The switch may be positioned inside the seating portion and configuredto be pressed downward upon seating of the cable on the seating portionalong the vertical direction of the connector.

The switch may be positioned outside the seating portion withoutinterfering with the cable.

One end of the cable may be electrically connected to the printedcircuit board, and another end of the cable may be electricallyconnected to the display panel.

A connector according to a concept of the disclosure includes: a caseaccommodating a cable; a cover rotatably coupled with the case, closingthe case by rotating in a first direction, and opening the case byrotating in a second direction; an elastic member providing a presetelastic force to the cover to rotate the cover in the first direction, alocking device provided in at least one of the cover or the case tocouple the cover with the case in a state in which the case opens; and aunlocking device releasing the coupling of the cover with the case bythe locking device, wherein the unlocking device includes a switch, andan interworking portion extending from the switch and guiding a movementof the unlocking device according to a movement of the switch byinterworking with the switch.

The locking device may include a first hole provided in the case, and afirst elastic protrusion provided in the cover to be coupled with thefirst hole, and the interworking portion of the unlocking device mayprotrude toward the first hole and push the first elastic protrusion outof the first hole to release coupling of the first elastic protrusionwith the first hole.

The case may include a second groove, and the cover may include a secondelastic protrusion coupled with the second groove of the case in a statein which the case is closed.

The cover may include a separating prevention portion coupled with thecable to prevent the cable from departing from the case, and the cablemay include a cutting groove corresponding to the separating preventionportion.

The cable may include at least one of a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC) or aFlexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certainembodiments of present disclosure will become apparent from thefollowing description taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings of which:

FIG. 1 shows a display apparatus according to an embodiment of thedisclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the display apparatus shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 shows a rear surface of a rear chassis shown in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 schematically shows a closed state of a connector shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 schematically shows an open state of the connector shown in FIG.4 .

FIG. 6 schematically shows a unlocking device of the connector shown inFIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 shows a process of seating a cable on the connector shown in FIG.4 .

FIG. 8 shows a closing process of the connector shown in FIG. 4 .

FIG. 9 shows a closed state of the connector shown in FIG. 4 bypartially cutting the connector.

FIG. 10 schematically shows a coupling relation between a cover of theconnector shown in FIG. 4 and a cable.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Configurations illustrated in the embodiments and the drawings describedin the present specification are only the preferred embodiments of thedisclosure, and thus it is to be understood that various modifiedexamples, which may replace the embodiments and the drawings describedin the present specification, are possible when filing the presentapplication.

Also, like reference numerals or symbols denoted in the drawings of thepresent specification represent members or components that perform thesubstantially same functions.

Also, the terms used in the present specification are merely used todescribe embodiments, and are not intended to restrict and/or limit thedisclosure. It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,”and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise. It will be understood that when the terms “includes,”“comprises,” “including,” and/or “comprising,” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, figures, steps,operations, components, members, or combinations thereof, but do notpreclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,figures, steps, operations, components, members, or combinationsthereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms including ordinalnumbers, such as “first”, “second”, etc., may be used herein to describevarious components, these components should not be limited by theseterms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component fromanother. For example, a first component could be termed a secondcomponent, and, similarly, a second component could be termed a firstcomponent, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As usedherein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one ormore of associated listed items.

In the entire specification, it will also be understood that when anelement is referred to as being “on” or “over” another element, it canbe directly on the other element or intervening elements may also bepresent.

In the following description, the terms “front-rear direction”, “frontsurface”, “rear surface”, “vertical direction”, “horizontal direction”,etc. are defined based on the drawings, and the shapes and positions ofthe corresponding components are not limited by the terms. For example,referring to FIG. 2 , a direction in which components (for example, adisplay panel 10, a chassis assembly, etc.) of a display apparatus 1 arearranged may be defined as a front-rear direction X. Also, a heightdirection of the connector 120 in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be defined as avertical direction V, and a width direction of the connector 120 may bedefined as a width direction W. Referring to FIG. 7 , a direction inwhich a cable body 131 of a cable 130 extends may be defined as ahorizontal direction H. However, the definitions are merely forillustrative purposes and not for limitation purposes.

It is another aspect of the disclosure to provide a connector capable ofsecuring a stable electrical connection between a printed circuit boardand a cable, and a display apparatus including the connector.

It is still another aspect of the disclosure to provide a connectorcapable of performing an automatic closing function, and a displayapparatus including the connector.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows and, in part, will be obvious from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

Hereinafter, the embodiments of the disclosure will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a display apparatus according to an embodiment of thedisclosure. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the display apparatus shown inFIG. 1 .

The display apparatus 1 may be an apparatus capable of processing animage signal received from outside and visually displaying a processedimage. Hereinafter, a case in which the display apparatus 1 is atelevision (TV) is provided as an example, although not limited thereto.For example, the display apparatus 1 may be implemented in variousforms, such as a monitor, a portable multimedia apparatus, a portablecommunication apparatus, a portable computing apparatus, etc., and thedisplay apparatus 1 may be implemented in any form capable of visuallydisplaying images.

The display apparatus 1 may be a flat display apparatus having a flatscreen, or a curved display apparatus having a curved screen. Also, thedisplay apparatus 1 may be a bendable display apparatus capable ofchanging the screen between a flat state and a curved state or adjustingthe curvature of the curved screen.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the display apparatus 1 may include adisplay panel 10 for displaying images(video).

The display panel 10 may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel.The LCD panel may display images by using liquid crystal that appearsthe optical characteristics according to a change in voltage andtemperature. The LCD panel may be configured with a Thin Film Transistor(TFT) substrate, a color filter substrate coupled with the TFT substratein such a way as to face the TFT substrate, and liquid crystal injectedbetween the TFT substrate and the color filter substrate. The TFTsubstrate may be a transparent substrate on which TFTs as switchingdevices are arranged in a matrix form, and the color filter substratemay be a transparent substrate on which RGB color pixels as color pixelsexpressing preset colors are formed by a thin film process, although notlimited thereto. The display panel 10 may include a Light Emitting Diode(LED) panel or an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) panel.

The display apparatus 1 may include a backlight unit 20 for supplyinglight to the display panel 10. The backlight unit 20 may irradiate lighttoward the display panel 10.

In the drawings, the display apparatus 1 is shown to be a non-emissivedisplay apparatus including the backlight unit 20. However, this is anexample, and the display apparatus 1 may be an emissive displayapparatus. In a case in which the display apparatus 1 is an emissivedisplay apparatus, the backlight unit 20 may be omitted.

The backlight unit 20 may be an edge type in which a light source 22 ispositioned to one side of the display panel 10. The light source 22 maybe positioned to at least one side among four sides of the display panel10. Although not shown in the drawings, the display apparatus 1 mayinclude a direct-type backlight unit in which a light source ispositioned directly behind a display panel.

The backlight unit 20 may include the light source 22, a substrate 21 onwhich the light source 22 is mounted, and various optical memberspositioned on a traveling path of light emitted from the light source22.

The light source 22 may include a LED. The LED may be provided in a formof a package in which a LED chip is mounted on a substrate and a resinis filled. Meanwhile, a Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) or anExternal Electrode Fluorescent Lamp (EEFL) may be used as the lightsource 22.

A plurality of light sources 22 may be aligned on the substrate 21. Acircuit pattern, etc. for transferring driving power and signals to thelight source 22 may be printed on the substrate 21. In FIG. 2 , a singlesubstrate 21 is shown, however, a plurality of substrates 21 may beprovided.

The optical members may be positioned on the traveling path of lightemitted from the light source 22. The optical members may guide atraveling direction of light or improve optical characteristics.

The optical members may include a light guide plate 23 for uniformlydistributing light emitted from the light source 22 toward the displaypanel 10, and a reflector sheet 24 for reflecting light to prevent lightloss.

The light guide plate 23 may be made of a Poly Methyl MethacrylateAcrylate (PMMA) material. On the light guide plate 23, a pattern forchanging a path of light may be provided. In an edge type backlightunit, the light source 22 may be positioned to one side of the lightguide plate 23. For example, the light source 22 may be positioned tocorrespond to at least one side 23 c among the four sides of the lightguide plate 23. Light entered one side of the light guide plate 23 maybe scattered by the pattern formed on a rear surface 23 b of the lightguide plate 23 and then exit through a front surface 23 a of the lightguide plate 23. Side surfaces of the light guide plate 23 may be spaceda preset distance from the light source 22 by considering thermalexpansion.

The reflector sheet 24 may reflect light emitted from the light source22 to prevent light loss from the rear surface 23 b of the light guideplate 23. The reflector sheet 24 may be formed in various forms, such asa sheet, a film, a plate, etc. For example, the reflector sheet 24 maybe formed by coating a base material with a high-reflective coatingmaterial. The base material may be SUS, BRASS, aluminum, PET, etc. andthe high-reflective coating material may be silver, TiO₂, etc.

The optical members may further include a quantum dot unit (not shown)or a quantum dot sheet. The quantum dot unit or the quantum dot sheetmay improve color reproducibility by changing a wavelength of light. Thecolor reproducibility is an index of similarity to natural colors, andrelates to an area expressed on color coordinates. The quantum dot unitor the quantum dot sheet may be positioned on a path of light betweenthe light source 22 and the display panel 10.

The display apparatus 1 may include various kinds of optical sheets 70for improving optical characteristics. The optical sheets 70 may bepositioned in front of the light guide plate 23 to improve the opticalcharacteristics of light exiting the light guide plate 23. The opticalsheets 70 may be positioned between the light guide plate 23 and thedisplay panel 10.

The optical sheet 70 may include a diffuser sheet 71 and a prism sheet72.

Because light guided through the light guide plate 23 directly enterseyes, the pattern of the light guide plate 23 may be presented as it isto the eyes. Therefore, the diffuser sheet 71 may cancel or reduce thepattern of the light guide plate 23.

The prism sheet 72 may concentrate light whose brightness hasdeteriorated by passing the diffuser sheet 71 to improve lightbrightness. The prism sheet 72 may be a Dual Brightness Enhancement Film(DBEF) sheet which is a high brightness prism sheet.

The optical sheets 70 may further include a protection sheet (not shown)for protecting the optical sheets 70 against external impacts or foreignmaterials.

The display apparatus 1 may include a chassis assembly for accommodatingthe display panel 10 and/or the backlight unit 20. The chassis assemblymay support the display panel 10 and/or the backlight unit 20.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the chassis assembly may include a front chassis30, a middle mold 40, and a rear chassis 50.

The front chassis 30 may include an opening 31 for exposing the displaypanel 10.

The middle mold 40 may include a middle mold side portion 41, and amiddle support 42 protruding inward from the middle mold side portion 41to support the display panel 10 and the optical members and maintain aninterval between the display panel 10 and the optical members.

The bottom chassis 50 may support the backlight unit 20. Variouscomponents of the display apparatus 1, such as the front chassis 20 andthe middle mold 40, may be fixed to and supported on the rear chassis50.

On a front surface 51 of the rear chassis 50, the substrate 21 of thebacklight unit 20 may be mounted. For example, the rear chassis 50 mayfunction to dissipate heat generated from the light source 22 to theoutside. Heat generated from the light source 22 may be transferred tothe rear chassis 50 via the substrate 21 and dissipated from the rearchassis 50.

The rear chassis 50 may be formed of various metal materials havingexcellent thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or stainless steel, ora plastic material such as an ABS resin. The substrate 21 may also be ametal PCB formed of an aluminum material having excellent thermalconductivity.

At least one of the front chassis 30, the middle mold 40 or the rearchassis 50 may be omitted or integrated into one body.

The display apparatus 1 may further include a rear cover 60 surroundingthe chassis assembly to protect and accommodate the chassis assembly.

Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawings, the display apparatus 1may further include a leg (not shown) for supporting the displayapparatus 1 on an installation surface.

FIG. 3 shows a rear surface of a rear chassis shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 4schematically shows a closed state of a connector shown in FIG. 3 . FIG.5 schematically shows an open state of the connector shown in FIG. 4 .FIG. 6 schematically shows a unlocking device of the connector shown inFIG. 5 .

Referring to FIG. 3 , the display apparatus 1 may include at least oneprinted circuit board assembly 100. The printed circuit board assembly100 may be accommodated in the chassis assembly. More specifically, theprinted circuit board assembly 100 may be positioned on a rear surface52 of the rear chassis 50. For example, the printed circuit boardassembly 100 may include an Integrated Circuit (IC) (not shown) fortransmitting and receiving data, signals, or power wirelessly.Meanwhile, in FIG. 3 , a single printed circuit board assembly 100 isshown, however, a plurality of printed circuit board assemblies 100 maybe provided.

The printed circuit board assembly 100 may include a printed circuitboard (PCB) 110, a connector 120, and a cable 130.

The printed circuit board 110 may drive and control at least one of thedisplay panel 10 or the backlight unit 20. The printed circuit board 110may supply power for driving the display apparatus 1 or controloperations of the display apparatus 1. For example, the printed circuitboard 110 may include at least one of a main board, a Switched ModePower Supply (SMPS), or a source board. Various electronic componentsmay be mounted on the printed circuit board 110 according to a purpose.

The printed circuit board 110 may be formed by using, as a base, a thinfilm made of an insulation such as an epoxy resin or a bakelite resin,forming a copper foil wiring on the base, and then printing a leadresist. Meanwhile, the printed circuit board 110 may include a pluralityof circuit patterns, although not shown in the drawings. The printedcircuit board 110 may be provided as a single-layer or a multi-layer.

The connector 120 may electrically connect the printed circuit board 110to the cable 130. The connector 120 may be mounted on the printedcircuit board 110.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , the connector 120 may include a case 1210and a cover 1220. The case 1210 and the cover 1220 may form an outerappearance of the connector 120.

The case 1210 may be substantially in a shape of a box. The case 1210may include a shape of which an upper side 1210 t partially opens. Alower side 1210 b of the case 1210 may be mounted on the printed circuitboard 110.

The case 1210 may accommodate the cable 130. The case 1210 may include aseating portion 1213 on which the cable 130 is seated in the verticaldirection V. The seating portion 1213 may have a shape recessed from theupper side 1210 t. That is, the case 1210 may include a recess formingthe seating portion 1213, and an upper side of the recess may open suchthat the cable 130 is seated on the seating portion 1213. The seatingportion 1213 may have a shape corresponding to a shape of the cable 130.

One side of the seating portion 1213, which is close to a hinge shaft1230, may be defined as a first side 1213 a, and the other side of theseating portion 1213, which is the opposite side of the first side 1213a and is distant from the hinge shaft 1230, may be defined as a secondside 1213 b. In this case, a width W2 of the second side 1213 b may besmaller than a width W1 of the first side 1213 a. Hereinafter, forconvenience of description, the width W1 will be referred to as a firstwidth W1, and the width W2 will be referred to a second width W2. Morespecifically, the case 1210 may further include a projection 1218protruding inward along a width direction H of the connector 120 fromthe second side 1213 b. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , a pair ofprojections 1218 may be provided. Thereby, the seating portion 1213 mayhave substantially a T shape. The cable 130 may be caught by theprojection 1218.

The seating portion 1213 may include a first area 1211 and a second area1212. The first area 1211 may extend by a preset distance from the firstside 1213 a of the seating portion 1213 toward the second side 1213 b,and may be an area having the first width W1. The second area 1213 mayextend by a preset distance from the second side 1213 b of the seatingportion 1213 toward the first side 1213 a, and may be an area having thesecond width W2.

The case 1210 may include an inner wall 1210 w connecting the recessforming the seating portion 1213 to the upper side 1210 t. For example,the inner wall 1210 w may include a first inner wall 1211 w connecting arecess forming the first area 1211 to the upper side 1210 t, and asecond inner wall 1212 w connecting a recess forming the second area1212 to the upper side 1210 t.

The case 1210 may include a connector terminal 1214 positioned in oneside of the seating portion 1213. For example, the connector terminal1214 may be positioned at the first side 1213 a of the seating portion1213, being close to the hinge shaft 1230. The connector terminal 1214may be electrically connected to a cable terminal 132 of the cable 130which will be described below. The connector terminal 1214 may be incontact with the cable terminal 132. The connector terminal 1214 may bemade of a conductive material to transmit electrical signals or current.

The cover 1220 may open or close the case 1210. The cover 1220 may openor close the seating portion 1213 of the case 1210. The cover 1220 maybe rotatably coupled with the case 1210. The cover 1220 may rotate onthe hinge shaft 1230 which will be described below. More specifically,the cover 1220 may close the seating portion 1213 by rotating in a firstdirection C, and open the seating portion 1213 by rotating in a seconddirection O (see FIG. 8 ). That is, the cover 1220 may open or close theseating portion 1213 by rotating in the first direction C or the seconddirection O.

A state in which the cover 1220 closes the seating portion 1213 of thecase 1210, as shown in FIG. 4 , may be referred to as a closed state ofthe connector 120. A state in which the cover 1220 opens the seatingportion 1213 of the case 1210, as shown in FIG. 5 , may be referred toas an open state of the connector 120.

The cover 1220 may include a cover body 1221. The cover body 1221 may besubstantially in a shape of a plate. The cover body 1221 may include theupper side 1220 t, a lower side 1220 b, and a side surface 1220 cconnecting the upper side 1220 t to the lower side 1220 b. The lowerside 1220 b may face the seating portion 1213, and the upper side 1220 tmay be the opposite side of the lower side 1220 b.

The cover 1220 may include a handle 1223 that may be gripped. A user mayopen the cover 1220 while gripping the handle 1223. The handle 1223 mayextend from the cover body 1221.

The connector 120 may include the hinge shaft 1230 positioned betweenthe case 1210 and the cover 1220. The hinge shaft 1230 may connect thecover 1220 to the case 1210. The cover 1220 may open or close the case1210 by rotating on the hinge shaft 1230. More specifically, the cover1220 may open or close the seating portion 1213 of the case 1210 byrotating on the hinge shaft 1230. The hinge shaft 1230 may besubstantially in a shape of a bar.

The connector 120 may include an elastic member 1240 for providing thecover 1220 with a preset elastic force to enable the cover 1220 torotate in a direction of closing the case 1210. That is, the cover 1220may rotate in the first direction C by receiving the preset elasticforce from the elastic member 1240.

For example, the elastic member 1240 may include at least one torsionspring 1241. The torsion spring 1241 may surround the hinge shaft 1230.One end 1241 a of the torsion spring 1241 may be coupled with the cover1220, and the other end 1241 b of the torsion spring 1241 may be coupledwith the case 1210.

The connector 120 may include a locking device for coupling the cover1220 with the case 1210. More specifically, the locking device may fixthe cover 120 to the case 1210. The locking device may be provided in atleast one of the cover 1220 or the case 1210.

The locking device may include a first locking device 200 for couplingthe cover 1220 with the case 1210 in a state in which the cover 1220opens the seating portion 1213. That is, the first locking device 200may provide a coupling force between the cover 1220 and the case 1210 tomaintain an open state of the connector 120.

Referring to FIG. 4 and (a) of FIG. 8 , the first locking device 200 mayinclude a first hole 210 provided in the case 1210, and a first elasticprotrusion 220 provided in the cover 1220 to be coupled with the firsthole 210. In a state in which the cover 1220 opens the seating portion1213, the first elastic protrusion 220 may be positioned to correspondto the first hole 210. More specifically, the first hole 210 may beformed in the upper side 1210 t of the case 1210, being adjacent to thehinge shaft 1230, and the first elastic protrusion 220 may be formed inthe upper side 1220 t of the cover 1220, being adjacent to the hingeshaft 1230. Upon rotating of the cover 1220 in the second direction O toopen the seating portion 1213, the first elastic protrusion 220 may beinserted into the first hole 210, although not limited thereto. However,the first elastic protrusion 220 may be provided in the case 1210, andthe first hole 210 may be provided in the cover 1220.

The locking device may include a second locking device 300 for couplingthe cover 1220 with the case 1210 in a state in which the cover 1220closes the seating portion 1213. That is, the second locking device 300may provide a coupling force between the cover 1220 and the case 1210 tomaintain a closed state of the connector 120. According to thedisclosure, the second locking device 300 may prevent coupling betweenthe cover 1220 and the case 1210 from being easily released although anexternal impact, etc. is applied in the closed state of the connector120. Thereby, the connector terminal 1214 may be more stably connectedto the cable terminal 132, and a bad contact between terminals may beprevented.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the second locking device 300 may include a secondhole 310 provided in the case 1210, and a second elastic protrusion 320provided in the cover 1220 to be coupled with the second hole 310. In astate in which the cover 1220 closes the seating portion 1213, thesecond elastic protrusion 320 may be positioned to correspond to thesecond hole 310. More specifically, the second hole 310 may be formed inthe inner wall 1210 w of the case 1210, and the second elasticprotrusion 320 may be formed in the side surface 1220 c of the cover1220. In the drawings, the second hole 310 is shown to be formed in thefirst inner wall 1211 w of the case 1210, although not limited thereto.However, the second hole 310 may be formed in the second inner wall 1212w. Upon rotating of the cover 1220 in the first direction C to close theseating portion 1213, the second elastic protrusion 320 may be insertedinto the second hole 310, although not limited thereto. However, thesecond elastic protrusion 320 may be provided in the case 1210, and thefirst hole 310 may be provided in the cover 1220.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the connector 120 may further include a unlockingdevice 400 for enabling the cover 1220 to close the seating portion 1213in a state in which the seating portion 1213 of the case 1210 opens.More specifically, the unlocking device 400 may release coupling betweenthe cover 1220 and the case 1210 by the first locking device 200. Thatis, the unlocking device 400 may release coupling between the cover 1220and the case 1210, and accordingly, the cover 1220 may close the seatingportion 1213 of the case 1210 by rotating in the first direction C by anelastic force received from the elastic member 1240. The connector 120may perform an automatic closing function by including the unlockingdevice 400. Accordingly, a task of closing the cover 1220 manually maybe omitted, which results in improvements of ease of use andproductivity.

The unlocking device 400 may include a switch 410, and an interworkingportion 430 interworking with the switch 410. The unlocking device 400may further include a connecting portion 420 connecting the switch 410to the interworking portion 430.

The switch 410 may be movable in the vertical direction V. The switch410 may be movable in an up-down direction. The switch 410 may bepressed downward. A plurality of switches 410 may be provided. Forexample, the switch 410 may include at least one of a first switch 411that is pressed upon seating of the cable 130 on the seating portion1213, or a second switch 412 that does not interfere with the cable 130.The first switch 411 may be positioned inside the seating portion 1213,and the second switch 412 may be positioned outside the seating portion1213. The second switch 412 may be pressed directly by a user.

The connecting portion 420 may extend toward the interworking portion430 from the switch 410. The connecting portion 420 may extend in onedirection. The connecting portion 420 may extend in the horizontaldirection H. The connecting portion 420 may extend toward the firstlocking device 200. One end of the connecting portion 420 may beconnected to the switch 410, and the other end of the connecting portion420 may be connected to the interworking portion 430. The connectingportion 420 may be made of an elastic material.

The interworking portion 430 may be connected to the connecting portion420 to interwork with the switch 410. The interworking portion 430 maybe movable in the vertical direction V. More specifically, upondownward-pressing of the switch 410, the interworking portion 430 maymove upward. In contrast, upon downward-pressing of the interworkingportion 430, the switch 410 may move upward. The switch 410 and theinterworking portion 430 respectively provided at both ends of theconnecting portion 420 may rise up and fall down with respect to acenter portion 421 of the connecting portion 420.

The unlocking device 400 may further include an auxiliary guide member440. The auxiliary guide member 440 may guide movements of the switch410 and the interworking portion 430. More specifically, the auxiliaryguide member 440 may guide a movement of the interworking portion 430 toenable the interworking portion 430 to easily move in the up-downdirection V by interworking with the switch 410. The auxiliary guidemember 440 may be positioned adjacent to the interworking portion 430.The auxiliary guide member 440 may be positioned below the connectingportion 420 in such a way as to be close to the interworking portion430. For example, the auxiliary guide member 440 may guide a movement inup-down direction V of the interworking portion 430 by providing apreset force to the interworking portion 430. Accordingly, as shown in(a) of FIG. 8 , upon downward-pressing of the interworking portion 430,the auxiliary guide member 440 may be compressed, and the switch 410 maymove upward with respect to the center portion 421 of the connectingportion 420. In contrast, as shown in (b) of FIG. 8 , upondownward-pressing of the switch 420, the auxiliary guide member 440 maybe expanded, and the interworking portion 430 may easily move upwardwith respect to the center portion 421 of the connecting portion 420.

The auxiliary guide member 440 may be made of an elastic material. Forexample, the auxiliary guide member 440 may be configured as an elasticspring to provide a preset elastic force to the interworking portion430.

Meanwhile, the unlocking device 400 may be provided in an accommodatingspace inside the case 1210 of the connector 120. Other configurations ofthe unlocking device 400 except for the switch 410 may be not exposed tothe outside of the case 1210, although not limited thereto. However, theunlocking device 400 may be provided outside the case 1210 of theconnector 120.

The accommodating space 1217 may include a first accommodating area 1217a in which the entire of the unlocking device 400 may be accommodated, asecond accommodating area 1217 b in which the switch 410 is movable inthe up-down direction, a third accommodating area 1217 c in which theinterworking portion 430 is movable in the up-down direction, and afourth accommodating area 1217 d in which at least one portion of theauxiliary guide member 440 may be accommodated. The third accommodatingportion 1217 c may communicate with the first hole 210.

The cable 130 may electrically connect the display panel 10 to theprinted circuit board 110, or electrically connect the backlight unit 20to the printed circuit board 110. One end of the cable 130 may beelectrically connected to the connector 120 installed on the printedcircuit board 110, and the other end of the cable 120 may beelectrically connected to the display panel 10 or the backlight unit 20.The cable 130 may transmit various signals between the display panel 10or the backlight unit and the printed circuit board 110.

The cable 130 may include a cable body 131 and a cable terminal 132.

The cable body 131 may extend in one direction. The cable body 131 mayinclude a deformable material. The cable body 131 may have flexibility.

The cable 130 may have a shape corresponding to the seating portion1213. The cable 130 may have different widths. For example, the cable130 may include a first portion 135 corresponding to the first area 1211of the seating portion 1213, and a second portion 136 corresponding tothe second area 1211 of the seating portion 1213. A width W3 of thefirst portion 135 may be greater than a width W4 of the second portion136, and a catching portion 133 may be formed according to a differencebetween the width W3 of the first portion 135 and the width W4 of thesecond portion 136. The cable 130 may have substantially a T shape. Thecatching portion 133 of the cable 130 may be caught by the projection1218 of the case 1210.

Accordingly, in a state in which the cable 130 is seated on the seatingportion 1213, the cable 130 may be prevented from departing from theseating portion 1213 in the horizontal direction H. That is, the cable130 may be more stably coupled with the connector 120.

The cable terminal 132 may be provided at both ends of the cable body131. The cable terminal 132 may be in contact with the connectorterminal 1214. The cable terminal 132 may be configured with a pluralityof conducting wires 132 a. The plurality of conducting wires 132 a mayextend in a direction that is in parallel to an extension direction ofthe cable body 131. The plurality of conducting wires 132 a may bearranged in such a way as to be spaced from each other in a widthdirection of the cable body 131. The plurality of conducting wires 132 amay be formed of a conductive material to transmit electrical signals orcurrent. The plurality of conducting wires 132 a may be selected fromamong silver, copper, nickel, cobalt, or a combination thereof, althoughthese are examples. However, the plurality of conducting wires 132 a maybe formed of any conductive material.

For example, the cable 130 may include at least one of a Flexible FlatCable (FFC) or a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB). In the drawings,a case in which the cable 130 is a FFC is shown as an example.

FIG. 7 shows a process of seating a cable on the connector shown in FIG.4 . FIG. 8 shows a closing process of the connector shown in FIG. 4 .

A process of seating the cable 130 on the connector 120, and a processof closing the connector 120 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7and 8 .

In a state in which the connector 120 opens, that is, in a state inwhich the cover 1220 opens the seating portion 1213 of the case 1210,the cable 130 may be seated on the seating portion 1213. At this time,the cable 130 may be seated on the seating portion 1213 in the verticaldirection V such that a flat surface 131 a of the cable 131 faces theseating portion 1213. Upon seating of the cable 130 on the seatingportion 1213, the cable terminal 132 may be in contact with theconnector terminal 1214. Upon seating of the cable 130 on the seatingportion 1213, the catching portion 133 of the cable 130 may be caught bythe projection 1218 of the case 1210. Accordingly, a movement inhorizontal direction H of the cable 130 may be prevented. Also, becausethe shape of the cable 130 corresponds to the shape of the seatingportion 1213, a movement in width direction W of the cable 130, as wellas a movement in horizontal direction H of the cable 130, may also beprevented. That is, the cable 130 may be prevented from being easilyseparated from the connector 120. Meanwhile, upon seating of the cable130 on the seating portion 1213, the cable 130 may press the switch 410(that is, the first switch 411). Upon downward-pressing of the switch410, the interworking portion 430 interworking with the switch 410 maymove upward, although not limited thereto. However, a user mayhimself/herself press the switch 410 (that is, the second switch 412).The interworking portion 430 may move upward to release coupling betweenthe case 1210 and the cover 1220. More specifically, as shown in (b) ofFIG. 8 , the interworking portion 430 may release coupling between thefirst elastic protrusion 220 and the first hole 210 by pushing the firstelastic protrusion 220 out of the first hole 210. Upon releasing of thecoupling between the first elastic protrusion 220 and the first hole210, the cover 220 may rotate in the first direction C by an elasticforce provided by the elastic member 1240, and the seating portion 1213may be closed by the cover 1220.

Generally, a cable such as a FFC, having flexibility, may be coupledwith a connector by being inserted into the connector in the horizontaldirection. In the case of such a horizontal coupling method, a certainspace for coupling a cable in a horizontal direction needs to besecured. Also, in a case in which a connector is positioned at theinnermost part of a product, there may be difficulties in inserting acable into the connector, and an additional task for checking whetherthe cable has been properly coupled with the connector may be needed.Meanwhile, due to the flexibility of the cable, the cable may be bent ordamaged in a process of inserting the cable into the connector in thehorizontal direction.

In contrast, according to the disclosure, the cable 130 may be coupledwith the connector 120 in the vertical direction V. More specifically,the cable 130 may be seated on the seating portion 1213 in the verticaldirection V such that the one surface 131 a of the cable body 131 facesthe seating portion 1213. That is, the cable 130 may be electricallyconnected to the connector 120 by a vertical coupling method.Accordingly, the cable 130 may be coupled with the connector 120 withoutany space constraint. Also, because the cable 130 is seated on theseating portion 1213 in the vertical direction V, the cable terminal 132may be more stably in contact with the connector terminal 1214. Also, arisk that the cable will be bent or damaged may be reduced.

FIG. 10 schematically shows a coupling relation between a cover of theconnector and a cable.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the cover 1220 may include a separatingprevention portion 1222 for preventing the cable 130 from departing fromthe seating portion 1213 in a state in which the cable 130 is seated onthe seating portion 1213 of the case 1210 and then the cover 1220 closesthe seating portion 1213. The separating prevention portion 1222 mayprotrude from the lower side 1220 b of the cover 1220 toward the seatingportion 1213. Also, the cable 130 may include a cutting groove 134corresponding to the separating prevention portion 1222. That is, theseparating prevention portion 1222 may be coupled with the cuttinggroove 134 in a state in which the cover 1220 closes the seating portion1213. Accordingly, the cable 120 may be prevented from being coupledwith the connection 120 in a state of departing from the seating portion1213 or being twisted or bent inside the seating portion 1213. Also, bylimiting a movement of the cable 130, a contact force between theconnector terminal 1214 and the cable terminal 132 may be improved. As aresult, an electrical connection between the connector 120 and the cable130 may be more stably conducted.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, the connector and the displayapparatus including the connector may improve a cable connection method.

According to another aspect of the disclosure, the connector and thedisplay apparatus including the connector may prevent a cable fromdeparting from the connector.

According to still another aspect of the disclosure, the connector andthe display apparatus including the connector may improve ease of useand productivity by performing an automatic closing function.

So far, specific embodiments have been shown and described. However, thedisclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, andvarious modifications can be made by those skilled in the art withoutdeparting from the gist of the technical idea of the disclosure definedby the claims below.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus comprising: a display panel;a chassis assembly to support the display panel; and a printed circuitboard assembly accommodated in the chassis assembly, the printed circuitboard assembly including a printed circuit board configured to drive andcontrol the display panel; and a connector installable on the printedcircuit board and configured to electrically connect the display panelto the printed circuit board via a cable, and the connector including aseating portion, and a connector terminal positioned at one side of theseating portion, wherein the connector is connected to the cable while asurface of the cable faces the seating portion along a verticaldirection of the connector and contact-coupling a cable terminal formedat one end of the cable with the connector terminal.
 2. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises: a case includinga recess forming the seating portion, wherein an upper side of therecess opens so that the cable is seated on the seating portion alongthe vertical direction of the connector; a cover rotatably couplablewith the case to open or close the seating portion; an elastic memberproviding a preset elastic force to the cover to rotate the cover alonga direction of closing the seating portion; a locking device, providedin at least one of the cover or the case, coupling the cover with thecase in a state in which the cover opens the seating portion; and anunlocking device releasing the coupling of the cover with the case bythe locking device.
 3. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein theunlocking device wherein the connector is connected to the cable while asurface of the cable faces the seating portion along a verticaldirection of the connector and contact-coupling a cable terminal formedat one end of the cable with the connector terminal comprises: a switch;and an interworking portion formed to extend from the switch, and theinterworking portion pressing the cover by moving upward upon adownward-pressing of the switch.
 4. The display apparatus of claim 2,wherein the locking device comprises: a first hole provided in the case;and a first elastic protrusion provided in the cover and couplable withthe first hole.
 5. The display apparatus of claim 4, wherein theunlocking device pushes the first elastic protrusion out of the firsthole in a state in which the first elastic protrusion is coupled withthe first hole.
 6. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lockingdevice is a first locking device, the connector further comprises asecond locking device, provided in at least one of the cover or thecase, to couple the cover with the case in a state in which the covercloses the seating portion, and the second locking device comprises: asecond hole provided in the case; and a second elastic protrusionprovided in the cover and coupled with the second hole.
 7. The displayapparatus of claim 2, wherein the cover comprises a separatingprevention portion formed to protrude toward the seating portion andcouplable with the cable, to prevent the cable from departing from theseating portion, in a state in which the cable is seated on the seatingportion and the cover closes the seating portion, and the cablecomprises a cutting groove corresponding to the separating preventionportion.
 8. The display apparatus of claim 2, wherein the one side ofthe seating portion, on which the connector terminal is positioned, is afirst side, the case further comprises a projection formed to protrudeinward along a width direction of the connector such that a second sideof the seating portion, which is opposite to the first side of theseating portion, has a smaller width than the first side, and a catchingportion caught by the projection to prevent the cable seated on theseating portion from departing from the seating portion along ahorizontal direction of the connector.
 9. The display apparatus of claim3, wherein the unlocking device further comprises an auxiliary guidemember guiding a movement of the interworking portion so that theinterworking portion is movable along an up-down direction byinterworking with the switch.
 10. The display apparatus of claim 2,wherein the elastic member comprises at least one torsion spring. 11.The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises at leastone of a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC) or a Flexible Printed Circuit Board(FPCB).
 12. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connectorfurther comprises a handle that is gripped.
 13. The display apparatus ofclaim 3, wherein the switch is positioned inside the seating portion andconfigured to be pressed downward upon seating of the cable on theseating portion along the vertical direction of the connector.
 14. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 3, wherein the switch is positioned outsidethe seating portion without interfering with the cable.
 15. The displayapparatus of claim 1, wherein one end of the cable is electricallyconnected to the printed circuit board, and another end of the cable iselectrically connected to the display panel.